The museums are a unique cultural institution with a specific mission: to preserve objects, tell stories and educate. They have the potential to be transformative, but in order to do so, they must focus on what really matters – what makes a museum a museum?
The answer to that question is complex and varies depending on the type of museum and its objectives. However, a common theme is the public good and the collection care, preservation and interpretation of objects. Museums are often described as cultural institutions, as culture is considered the set of concepts shared in a particular society (sociological view) or the achievements a community deems most important and worthy of preservation (historical view).
It is important that museums offer visitors opportunities to broaden their perspectives on the world and the issues that affect it. This is one of the goals of the best museums in the world. One of the most interesting examples is the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which focuses on displaying historical artefacts and documents from the First Indochina War from a Vietnamese perspective.
Museums are also increasingly tackling contemporary topics such as climate change, the refugee crisis and the Anthropocene. These issues are addressed through exhibitions and activities aimed at reaching and engaging new audiences, or by supporting and strengthening civil societies through education and advocacy programmes.
There is a great deal of work to be done if museums are to address the challenges and opportunities that they face. A key area is ensuring that museum policies are inclusive, and that they are relevant for the needs of the people they serve. This is particularly important when addressing issues such as decolonisation, repatriation and restitution, which are a central concern for many of the world’s museums.
A defining aspect of the best museums is that they are open to everyone. They make their collections accessible, and provide educational, social and spiritual benefits to all who visit. In addition, they offer a variety of experiences to allow visitors to connect with their heritage. This is an important point to remember when considering the development of future museum policy and practice.
Three years ago ICOM created the Standing Committee for the Museum Definition, Prospects and Possibilities (MDPP), tasked with developing a new museum definition to be submitted for a vote at the next ICOM General Conference in 2022. Since then, MDPP members have worked tirelessly to consult with National Committees, International Committees and Affiliated Organisations around the world on a methodology that will ensure greater democratic participation, transparency and careful listening as we move towards the second round of consultations, which begin in December 2020. This first step in the process will enable museums to submit reports on activities they have carried out related to the museum definition reformulation, and to rank five proposals for consideration. ICOM Define will then analyse these reports and prepare a document to present to the Advisory Council in preparation for Consultation 2.